In the middle of a long day of clearing fallen trees and branches from roadways near Lewiston, Mich., Jason Mittlestat was able to put down his chainsaw and enjoy an unexpected treat: lunch at a community meal.

Sponsoring the lunch was St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, which also provided hot showers and beds for people who couldn’t stay at home due to the ice storm that devastated parts of a 12-county area of northern Michigan starting March 30-31.

“It was donated food and all volunteers running it,” said Teresa Collins, church secretary. “One day we served 600 meals.”

Mittlestat, a Michigan Department of Natural Resources forester from Baraga, reflected on what will really stick with him from this effort: “Neighbors helping neighbors. People helping out,” he said. “That’s how people are getting out of this.”

His story caused us to ask a similar question to another crew member, then another and another at dinner last night.

We’ve talked extensively about the mission of clearing roads and access to communications towers. This time we asked our crews: “After all of this, what is going stick with you?”

None of those we asked talked about trees or roads.

Mittlestat’s coworker Todd Markham, also of Baraga, chimed in “The human spirit is to be kind. I don’t want people to think we’re bragging about the stuff we cut. So many people were out there doing all of this. Neighbor to neighbor. All over. And we got to see that.” Read more

TiCK MiTT delivers tick protection solutions to keep your pets safe from even the smallest threats

TiCK MiTT, a scientifically engineered, chemical-free solution designed to help find and remove ticks before embedding into the skin, is celebrating National Pet Day with the greatest gift of all – protection from tick-borne illnesses.

Checking your dog for ticks is crucial, especially as we head into Spring, and spend more time outside. Ticks are notorious carriers of various diseases, such as Lyme Disease, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis, which can be harmful and even life-threatening to both pets and humans. Early detection and removal of ticks are both vital in significantly reducing the risk of transmission.

TiCK MiTT was developed by father-daughter duo Olivia and Steve Abrams, who were inspired to take action by their own personal challenges with Lyme Disease. The brand offers a unique, chemical-free approach to tick removal. Unlike traditional methods that might use chemicals like DEET or permethrin, TiCK MiTT works mechanically to trap loose ticks without exposing one’s pet or your family to toxins. It’s perfect if you’re looking for natural pet care solutions and is effective at removing several ticks at once. Read more

April 10, 2025

Following severe ice storms in northern Michigan, Department of Natural Resources staff members are assessing damage and conducting cleanup at several state parks, state park campgrounds, state forest campgrounds, boating access sites and state-managed trails.

DNR crews are also collaborating with local agencies and utility companies to clear debris, prioritize the restoration of essential services and ensure access to critical infrastructure. Much of the work is being coordinated with the Michigan Army National Guard.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a 12-county disaster area last week, which includes Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle counties.

As a result, the DNR temporarily closed several state parks, state park campgrounds, state forest campgrounds, boating access sites and state-managed trails until safe access can be restored, including hazardous tree assessment and removal. Read more

 MUCC is in a lawsuit to protect Proposal G—and we need YOU!

Your Voice Is More Important Now Than Ever!

Email the NRC: Express your support for year-round coyote hunting and the importance of adhering to scientific management principles. 

Testify at the Commission Meeting: Attend the NRC meeting tomorrow to provide public comment. Your testimony can directly influence the commission’s decision. Email nrc@michigan.gov to request a 5 minute testimony.

Protect Proposal G: Stand up for science-based wildlife management by advocating for decisions grounded in sound scientific principles, as required by Proposal G.

To learn more about the Coyote closure, visit ?https://www.mucc.org/protect-your-rights.

April 9, 2025

Resource includes areas cleared by Department of Natural Resources Incident Management Team, cooperators   

A new interactive map provides a tool for people to track roads that are now open following the massive ice storm in northern Michigan.

All roads on the map were identified as public safety priorities by the State Emergency Operations Center and were cleared of debris by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Incident Management Team, along with the Michigan National Guard and other cooperators.

“Making sure there are clear roads for vehicles in the event of an emergency has been one of our top missions since we got saws, trucks and equipment out in communities hit by these storms,” Keith Murphy, Incident Management Team Operations Chief, said. “Our crews and cooperators have already cleared more than 630 miles of roadway and we’re not done yet.”

Murphy added, “This map is a tool people can use to find clear routes to their destinations, providing options to keep them and their loved ones safe.” Read more

April 7, 2025

Hundreds of miles of roads cleared, communications protected

Clearing tree debris to reopen roads and gain access to communication towers has been mission number one for the Michigan Department Natural Resources Incident Management Team following the recent massive ice storm in northern Michigan.

In its first five days on the ground, the team, working with the Michigan National Guard and many other cooperators, put public safety first as hundreds of miles of roads were cleared in the 12-county area hit hardest by the storm.

“Our crews have been working from early in the morning until sunset to clear trees, branches and brush to make sure emergency vehicles can access roads in case people need help,” said Mike Janisse, Incident Commander.

“We currently have 15 crews in the field who are continuing to work in some of the hardest hit counties. They’ve pushed through wind, rain, slush, snow, and even more ice to help make life a little easier for people who have been hit hard by this storm.”

Working with multiple agencies, the team has cleared nearly 500 miles of roadway since the storm response began April 2. Read more

To stop the spread of oak wilt, a fungal disease that can kill red oak trees within weeks, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is urging homeowners not to prune any oak trees from April 15-July 15, the period of highest risk.

During that time period, sap-feeding nitidulidae beetles can transfer spores of the fungus from infected trees to healthy ones that have wounds. Risk is highest from mid-April to mid-July, and recent research at Michigan State University indicates that in Michigan, oak infection risk peaks in May and June.

Oak wilt also can spread when people move firewood cut from infected trees, and from tree to tree through connected root systems.

“It is important to prevent infection because this disease can kill trees very quickly,” said Simeon Wright, forest health pathologist in the DNR’s Forest Resources Division. “Oaks in the red oak family can die within weeks.” Read more

Spring migration is in full swing, and Michigan’s wetlands are alive with the sights and sounds of returning birds. From dazzling ducks in breeding plumage to soaring bald eagles and graceful sandhill cranes, these tours offer a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest spectacles.

Join the DNR and MI Birds for a series of free, guided tours at some of the state’s best birding hotspots or join a webinar from wherever you are!

• Saturday, April 5 – Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area tour (Pinconning).
• Friday, May 9 – Demystifying Portage Marsh State Wildlife Area webinar.
• Saturday, May 17 – Portage Marsh State Wildlife Area tour (Escanaba).
• ICYMI: Demystifying Pte. Mouillee State Game Area webinar.

Can’t make it to a tour? Enjoy the spring migration on your own! Explore Wetland Wonders or Grouse Enhanced Management Sites, or visit Cornell’s BirdCast for a bird migration forecast to help you plan a trip. For recommendations on places to bird watch, check out this MI Birds article.

April 4, 2025

Damage assessment continues following historic ice storms in northern Michigan

All state-managed trails in a dozen northern Michigan counties, including parts of the eastern Upper Peninsula, will remain closed following the severe ice storms earlier this week that downed trees and power lines and caused thousands of residents to be without power and basic necessities. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, along with the Michigan National Guard and partner organizations, is working to safely clear debris and eventually restore safe access, but this will take considerable time and effort.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday declared a 10-county disaster area, which was later expanded to 12 counties, including Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle.

DNR Parks and Recreation is assisting emergency crews in communities affected by the storms. This includes providing heavy equipment, sawyers and equipment operators to help with the cleanup.

Crews are working hard to clear debris from state parks and trails.

“Storm damage is extensive, and many trails are impassable and unsafe,” said Tim Novak, state trails coordinator for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “Significant time will be needed to assess and address affected areas. Many areas may also be affected by erosion and culvert issues from the recent rains.”

Paige Perry, DNR recreation trails specialist for the north-central Lower Peninsula, asked that trail users respect the closures and allow the first responders and other partners to safely assess damage, restore power and eventually clear debris from the multicounty trails system.

“The damage was extensive in the forests of the northern Lower Peninsula where our recreational trails are found, and the cleanup effort will take weeks or months,” Perry said. “More information will be released as soon as areas are cleared and the trails are once again safe to use. In the meantime, we ask that everyone explore Michigan’s other beautiful trails until the Tip of the Mitt is reopened.” Read more

April 3, 2025

Sawdust was flying at sites across northern Michigan as Department of Natural Resources and Michigan National Guard crews worked together to clear vital areas of trees downed by the massive weekend ice storm.

Of the more than 600 service members currently activated, approximately 130 are teamed up with Michigan DNR staff across the 12-county area hit hardest by the storm that stretches across the northern tip of the Lower Peninsula and into the southern tip of the Upper Peninsula.

“We appreciate the Guard’s cooperation and help,” said Jeff Stampfly, Michigan’s state forester and chief of the DNR’s Forest Resources Division. “There is a lot of work here to be done.”

Paul Rogers, DNR fire prevention specialist, was working with the chain saw crews and said they had cleared miles of roads Thursday in Emmet County.

“They’re doing well and making progress,” he said. Rogers shared that the devastation was hard to describe.

“There are areas where there is not much damage, and there’s an area where there is a 70-foot pine that looks like a toothpick sticking up, with every branch taken off of it,” he said.

The storm downed trees across the area, leaving some forested areas looking like they had been mowed. The storm blocked many roads and knocked out power to thousands of homes. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a 10-county disaster area on Monday which was later expanded to 12 counties, including Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle. Read more